Tough little Willie Bioff, big-shot labor racketeer, was testifying. "We
had about 20 percent of Hollywood when we got in trouble. If we hadn't
got loused up we'd of had 50 percent. I had Hollywood dancin' to my
tune." Willie's compelling tune was extortion; the insistent drumbeat
in the background was the threat of physical violence. Studio employees
and motion-picture-machine operators joined his labor unionor else.
Hollywood studio czars chipped in millions to stop the music and keep
their...